The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-01-01
VIEWS OF THE PRESENT.

SOmeWnaG remarkable IN one whose
theology leads him oftentimes to take a
very dismal view of the future. AT
the New York celebration of Fore
fathers Day he began his after-dinner
speech in the following words:
eff we leave to the evolutionists to
guess where we came from, and to the
theologians to prophesy where we are
going to, we still have left for consider
alton the fact that we are here and we
are here at an interesting time. OF all
the centuries this is the best century,
and of all the decades of the century
this is the best decade, and of all the
years of the decade this is the best
year, and of all the months of the year
this is the best month, and of all the
nights of the month this is the best
night.'
Mr.. Talmage rounds off his period
very appropriately considering the New
England audience gathered around him
on the occasion but we should not al
low the focalization of his thought to
the evening of Forefathers' Day to in
terfere with our appreciation of the
cheerful optimism revealed in his re-
marks. He, no doubt, expressed a
genuine conviction in this eulogy on
the present time. He thinks we'll of
the present age and is not unwilling
that his remarks may be accepted as
indicating sober belief that in all the
great essentials the nineteenth century
is entitled to the highest honor,-is, in
fact, not only as good period as the
world has yet seen, but the BEST
actually and positively the best, that
has yet dawned in the history of the
world
1t is refreshing to have this faith
asserted so positively, and in such a
cheerful manner, by one whose Calvin
ism leads in the realm of theology to
such gloomy conclusions in regard to
the destiny of the race whose progress
is regarded as so highly satisfactory.
| A contrary judgment is often pro-
nounced by those who are in sympathy
with Mr.. Talmage's theology. 1t is
| frequently asserted that the vast ma
terial interests of the present age para
| lyze religious faith, and are inimical to
all true spiritual progress that the
| light of truth grows dim that religion
makes little progress; that worldly in
terests are supreme and all absorbing {;
that the world, instead of progressing,
has in reality gone backward, and that
the tendencies of the present age holds
no encouragement for the future in any
direction that looks to the spiritual
profit and uplifting of mankind.
AS one of the natural results of this
view, we have those who regard the
past with peculiar, even romantic favor.
In the good old days, we are informed,
there were not so many discordant
voices heard ON the great questions
that now move the religious and So
cial world from center to circumference,
and the change is not regarded as favor
able for religion and its future ascen-
dency. Then, all were satisfied with
the old forms of faith, and the authority
of the Bible and the church was more
generally respected, and the masses
were more contented. When Sunday
came it witnessed spectacle seldom
seen in these days, the whole commun-
ity, with one accord, moving in the
direction of the village Westinghouse,
and listening with reverent atten-
ton to the instruction of the pulpit.
Now, instead of people going to one
meeting, they go wherever they fancy
they can be best entertained, or stay at
home and read the Sunday newspaper,
or ride along the country roads, or re-
main in listless idleness on the Lords
day, or occupy its spare moments in
developing business schemes or engage
in some other entirely worldly pursuit.
Now, this tendency to glorify the
past and enthrone it upon the ruin of
the present is not well founded. For
example, it is not just to say that this
is an age of irreligion and entire indif-
ference to matters of faith. On the
contrary, it is period that discovers
amid its material interests, large de-
gree of consecrated Christian activity.
When we get down to bottom facts we
find that it is not an age of infidelity,
but period of discriminating religious
inquiry. The age nourishes fair degree
of vital faith; it kindles large degree of
Christian hope. 1t is not solely de-
voted to Mammon, but an age which
considers social questions of vast i'm
portance, that builds churches, schools,
hospitals, almshouses, and libraries, and
lays the foundation of the future growth
of society in all departments of good
work. Granted that there is great
diversity of faith cherished, but this is
not against the age, but rather in it's
favor. Only the Roman Catholic can
consistently object to this. The age
respects the right of private judgment,
and ranoonizaa no infallihla nriest or